Andrew's Adventures

George Washington Parkway 2011

I participated in the George Washington Parkway for the third time this year.  It is easily my favorite race road race to do which I think in large part, is the way Pacers puts on the race.  The weather was perfect for running a fast time and I was hoping to take advantage of that and going for a personal best 10 mile.  Halfway in the race I was on my way running better than a 10 min/mi pace.  However, I hit a wall at around 6.5 miles and had to do some walking.  I was able to run the rest with some more walking included, but wasn't the finish I had hoped for.  I was able to finish in 1:47:11 which isn't my best, but I can certainly be happy with the accomplishment.  Maybe next year I can get that personal best?

Cherry Blossoms

On a whim, Lauren and I decided take Lela on her first trip into the Nation's Capital and check out the Cherry Blossoms this year. The weather was warm but included a lot of wind making it hard to view them. Lela seemed to enjoy the trip which included her first Metro ride. We ate dinner at Bojangles that just opened in Union Station. It was a nice taste of home for us.

It's the Weekend!

So we have our first Saturday without family visiting and helping out. For our big day Lauren and I decided to take advantage
of the sixty degree day by going for a walk with Lela through the
neighborhood. All the napping during the walk wore Lela out...so she
needed a nap. We then decided to reward ourselves for the workout
with Lela's first trip to Five Guys for dinner.

Lela and Lauren go for a Walk

While I was working on this lovely late winter day where the temperature got into the 60s Lauren and our daughter went out for a stroll.

As you can see from the picture below, the walk wore Lela out.

Lela Rose Sutton

I am a little late getting this posted, but just before 1 am on
2/15/11 Lauren and I welcomed our daughter in our lives. She was 21
inches long and 7lbs and 13 oz and a head full of hair at birth.
Lauren and I were thankful to have her mother, sisters, father and
stepmother, and my parents to help out during those first couple of weeks as
we get a hold of being responsible for our little one. Attached are a
few pictures of her during that first few days.

New Years

After working for a couple days Lauren and I had her father and Susan up for New Years.  They arrived around lunch after getting up with the chickens to drive that morning.  We had a sandwich and hung out on the couch and watched some football.  That evening we went to the Peking Gourmet Inn because we had yet to take them.  This meant we got to go twice in one week, which I was certainly happy with.  We got the cashew chicken, Peking Gourmet beef and tried the green beans for the first time.  Apparently, they were President H. W. Bush's favorite, and we enjoyed them too.  I would certainly get them again.  Afterwards we decided to take a drive into the city and check out the Capitol Christmas Tree which we had not yet done this year.  The next day we ventured out to Jason's Deli for lunch and did a little shopping.  The rest of the day we just hung out on the couch watching football and Lauren made some pork ribs for dinner.

 

Christmas 2010

Lauren and I hosted Mark, Cheryl, and my parents for Christmas this year to allow Lauren and I to stay at home.  We enjoyed having them and it was nice to just hang out without any plans.  Mark and Cheryl arrived at our house Thursday night just before dinner after driving all day from Greyslake.  After they arrived we had dinner at Glory Days here in Manassas.  My parents came on Christmas Eve and got to town around 2:00.  We enjoyed baked linguine that Mom made for dinner.  The next morning we enjoyed opening our gifts after enjoying breakfast that included sausage and gravy biscuits!  We spent the rest of the day lounging around enjoying the gifts we received.  We snacked all day on stuff the girls made and had beef tenderloin that Lauren made for our dinner that night.  The day after Christmas we decided to venture out in the snow to to Tyson's Corner to go to the mall to return a few items.  Everybody else had the same idea.  We then had dinner at Peking Gourmet Inn which I think everyone always enjoys.  On Monday we had a lazy day and the only adventure out was to the gym to shoot some hoops at the Manassas Park Community Center.  On Tues, Mom and Dad had to head home and left around noon on Tuesday after a Chick-fil-a lunch.  Mark and I headed out to Broad Run Golf and played 9 holes while the lady's went to get massages.  We watched the Wolfpack defeat the Mountaineers in the Champs Sports Bowl that evening while enjoying some Ledo's Pizza.  Early Wednesday morning Mark and Cheryl packed the car and headed to Greyslake and Lauren and I went back to the grind for a few days.

Thanksgiving

Lauren and I decided with the travel we have left in the year we decided we would stay put this Thanksgiving.  Lauren made a wonderful spread including a pork tenderloin, creamed corn and sweet potato cassarole that was wondering.  My parent came up on Friday to assist us with a couple of projects around the house.  First we had to go watch the Wolfpack play UMD for a chance at the ACC Championship game.  This was one of the coldest games I have gone to and wasn't very enjoyable win or loss. The team came out hot to take a 14-0 lead, but things quickly fizzled.  We left during the 4th quarter as we were about frozen, and later found out that the Wolfpack made a comeback push to lose 38-31.  On Sunday, my parents finished painting the nursery for our girl and my dad helped me drywall my media closet under the stairs.  I was able to finish it and it leaves mudding and painting left.  They were also able to help hang some curtains that Lauren was excited about.

Basketball, Football, and a Road Race

After making the trek to NC with Lauren on Friday, I was able to go to Raleigh with Chad to see the Wolfpack basketball team take on Tennessee Tech.  It was the first time in a long time I have been to the RBC Center so it was nice to see the upgrades like the scoreboard.  I was also glad see a first hand view of the new freshman talent on the team.  Saturday, I was able to watch the Wolfpack football team give a thorough beating to the Demon Deacons 38-3.  It was a nice comfortable win for our last home game.  On Sunday I, along with Carlos, ran the Old Raleigh Reliable 10k for the first time.  It was a great day to have a road race and I had my best pace for any race at a 9:29 per mile.  I was very happy with the results.  Thanks to Chad and Miranda for hosting me for the weekend, I really enjoyed it.  On Monday I drove to Williamsburg to spend the night visiting Lauren's Grandmother, Mother, and Angela (and kids) for the night.  We went out to eat for dinner and again for breakfast.  Lauren and I left for home on midday Tuesday finishing the last road trip Lauren and I would be taking in the Civic.

Upgrading the Familymobile

With the impending birth of our first born, Lauren and I decided to take advantage of some year end clearance of automobiles, and purchase a vehicle that will meet our growing family's needs.  We chose a Toyota Highlander as Lauren and I decided we are not a minivan family.  You can see pictures below of both Lauren by her Civic and her driving the new Highlander to work.  Anyone need a reliable two door car?